Advocacy

AIA New York has offered its input and recommendations on numerous issues, offering our expertise as architects on City policy initiatives such as energy conservation, sustainability, resiliency, transit-orientated development, and projects of citywide significance. Listed below are the legislation and actions with a link to our testimony before the New York City Council, City Planning Commission, Landmarks Preservation Commission and other governmental agencies. Members can present projects or policy items seeking approval by the City to the AIANY Policy Board for feedback and support.

2017

2017 Mayoral Campaign Green Building Roadmap
Policy roadmap for local candidates to maintain New York City’s national leadership on climate change by upgrading its
buildings, training its workforce and streamlining energy efficiency. Developed by AIANY, Urban Green Council, REBNY & 32BJ SEIU
Download:
Green_Building_Roadmap.pdf

Transportation + Infrastuture Policy Framework
AIANY Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Policy Framework developed to support the goal of sustainable growth for the New York City Region.
Download:
AIANY T+I Policy Framework (8.4.17).pdf

Testimony before the New York City Council Committee on Environmental Protection
Testimony before the New York City Council Committee on Environmental Protection on a series of energy-related: Intro 1629; Intro 1637; Intro 1644; Intro 1651
Download:
AIANY Statement Intro 1629.pdf

Testimony before the NYC Council Committee on Housing and Buildings
Testimony before the New York City Council Committee on Housing and Buildings on Intro 1307-A, a bill to amend the City Charter in relation to the minimum qualifications for Department of Building inspectors.
Download:
AIANY Statement_1307-A.pdf

Testimony before the NYC Council Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management
On 1.31.17, AIANY testified before the NYC Council Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management in favor of Intro 201, a bill to
require recycling of discarded carpet from commercial buildings.
Download:
AIANY Statement (Intro 201) .pdf

2016

Testimony before the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission on the Richard Gilder Center
On 10.11.16, AIANY testified in favor of the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation at the American Museum of Natural History, designed by Studio Gang architects.
Download:
AIANY Gilder Center letter to LPC.pdf

Testimony before the New York City Council Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations on the Public Design Commission
AIANY Testified before the New York City Council Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations on the Public Design Commission. The Oversight Hearing introduced a bill (No. 1276-A) that would require the PDC to submit an annual report.
Download:
9.20.16 PDC Testimony.pdf

Testimony before the New York City Council Committee on Housing and Buildings on a Series of Energy-related Bills
AIANY testified before the City Council Committee on Housing and Buildings with Urban Green Council. The hearing addressed: Int. No. 1160, Int. No. 1163, Int. No. 1165, and Int. No. 1169, which would update NYC's Energy Code.
Download:
6.22.16 Council Hearing_AIANY.pdf

Testimony on Water Street Upgrades Text Amendment before the New York City Council Committee on Zoning and Franchises
AIANY testified at the City Council hearing on the Water Street Upgrades Text Amendment on 05.04.16.
Download:
Water Street Testimony.pdf

Letter in Support of Water Street Upgrades Text Amendment
On 04.21.16 AIANY submitted a letter in support of the Water Street Upgrades Text Amendment to the City Planning Commission before the 04.25.16 vote.
Download:
Water Street_Letter of Support_AIANY.pdf

Testimony before the City Council Committee on Zoning and Franchises on Zoning for Quality and Affordability
AIANY testified at the City Council hearing on the Department of City Planning's Zoning for Quality and Affordability proposal on 02.10.16.
Download:
AIANY_Testimony_2.10.16_ZQA.pdf

Statement Submitted to the New York City Council Committee on Environmental Protection on Intro. 478
AIANY submitted testimony supporting AIANY supports Intro. 478 in its effort to encourage the elimination of fossil fuels and the implementation of photovoltaic systems but suggested that the best approach to achieving this would be to focus on whole building analyses.
Download:
AIANY Testimony_Intro. 478.pdf

2015

Zoning for Quality and Affordability
AIANY testified before the City Planning Commission on the Department of City Planning's Zoning for Quality and Affordability proposal on 12.16.15.
Download:
12.16_AIANY Testimony_ZQA.pdf

Testimony before the City Council Committee on Recovery and Resiliency and Committee on Environment Protection on OneNYC
AIANY submitted testimony at the oversight hearing on the resiliency and sustainability sections of the OneNYC plan.
Download:
2015_1214_OneNYC Hearing_AIANY.pdf

Zoning for Quality and Affordability
On 11.16.15, AIANY testified at the Manhattan Borough President's public hearing on the Zoning for Quality and Affordability and Mandatory Inclusionary Housing proposal.
Download:
11.16_MBP Hearing_AIANY.pdf

Testimony before the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission on the Kaufmann Conference Rooms
On 11.12.15, AIANY testified in favor of landmarking the Edgar J. Kaufmann Conference Rooms at 809 United Nations Plaza, designed by Alvar Aalto. The hearing was the final hearing dedicated to clearing LPC's 95-item backlog.
Download:
AIANY_Kaufmann Conference Rooms.pdf